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Growing up in the Butcher Shop: The Feast / La Festa

Ciao Amici,
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or as it is commonly known as the “Roseto Big Time,” is here. It is a time to honor Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patroness of Roseto’s Catholic Church. The feast originated in Roseto Valfortore, Italy and along with many other traditions it carried over to our town in America .Sometimes all you need is the air that you breathe to know when and where you are. For me and my family it is the sausage and peppers [especially when our family makes our own fresh sausage] and the pizza Grandmom and Mom always made.
The Saturday of the big time is when my friends would come over and hang out and socialize. It was great to have such amici grandi [great friends.] One of my favorite memories is the Sunday Procession. First, when our second grade class received Holy Communion, as an Altar Boy, when my daughters received their Communion and later when they were in the court. My brother Phil marched with the Cornet Band and to this day Uncle Chubby drives the beautiful float. Everyone in the community has these ties to the Big Time. As a young child watching the procession go in front of the butcher shop, I could see the love in my Grandparent’s eyes with the look of pride. They were proud that in America not only could you keep the traditions of the old country but also make them flourish in your own community. My Grandfather’s sister Mary and her family from Philadelphia would always visit on that Sunday and Grand pop was so happy to entertain them and enjoy the ”Sunday Supper “ of macaroni, gravy meat and roasted chicken and potatoes which seemed to taste better with the extended family there.
You never know what you may come across while walking the midway of the Big Time. 20years ago at the pizza fritta stand is where I saw the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, it was my future wife Joelene.
Noi non potemo avere perfetta vita senza amici –
We cannot have a perfect life without friends (Dante)
Con cordiali saluti,
Joe
My book, “Growing up in the Butcher Shop“ is available at the shop, email us or at Amazon.com. To receive menu specials and our newsletter Join our mailing list at our WEB PAGE: www.JDeFrancoandDaughters.com -Click on Mailing List and enter your e-mail Send us your Roseto stories, recipes and comments to E-mail: portipasto@ptd.net or call us 610-588-6991 Store Hours: Vary call ahead with Catering Anytime
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